14:55 Carlisle

Thursday 17 October 2019

All12:1512:4513:1513:4514:2014:5515:2516:00

Introducing Racing TV Handicap Hurdle (Div 2)

Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 5m 9.20s

Higgs⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: David Bass| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 118| BF

8/11

A rare disappointment as a stable switcher for this yard at Exeter when well supported although he did have a rather patchy record for his former yard. Found another weak opportunity here (due to go up 3lb from Saturday); race could come too soon.

Form: 27658-3

Black Key^p1⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Theo Gillard⁽⁷⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 117

14/1

Some creditable recent efforts to his name for this yard but yet to match the form he showed in Ireland earlier in his career. Failed to build on the promise of his last run at Uttoxeter last month; something to prove now.

Form: 40-6347

Ask Paddington^h¹⁸⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Alain Cawley| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 115

12/1

Good run of form came to a halt at Wetherby in April when attempting to complete a hat-trick but his previous form had shown he was capable of winning something like this. Returns from a break and may just need this, most of the stable are.

Form: 633116-

Sleepy Haven¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 113

9/1

Long time now since he recorded a one next to his name running well below form last time at Kelso (2m, heavy) losing his place rather easily. Handicapper rather unfairly keeps him on the same mark, makes only limited appeal back up in trip.

Form: 343564

Attention Seaker^t¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Lee Cosgrove⁽¹⁰⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 112| D

28/1

Showed some reasonable form in the summer on the Flat but hasn't been able to transfer that level of form into a couple of recent hurdles starts. Has won at this trip in the past over timber but would have to step forward on hat she's shown of late.

Form: 8381/64

Bestiarius²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Ross Chapman| T: G Boanas| OR: 112

16/1

May well have needed the run returning from a long break (off almost two years) when seen at Perth (2m, heavy), making his debut for this yard (formerly with Nicky Richards). Handicapper drop him 3lb but in truth more is needed.

Form: 12U3/5

Mahler Supreme¹⁷⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Jonathon Bewley⁽³⁾| T: G Bewley| OR: 107

50/1

Limited in bumpers when raced in Ireland he did show some ability on his hurdles/GB/stable debut but has gone backwards in two subsequent starts. Now makes his handicap debut but really does need to show more to be of interest.

Form: 58/6354-

Frightened Rabbit¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Danny McMenamin⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 103

5/1

Thrived throughout the summer over hurdles winning at Hexham and Carlisle coping with ease in the ground both times. Returns to hurdles off the back of two good Flat runs and still lurks on a good mark; fine conditional booked, leading player.

Form: 3-24121

Dubh Des Champs³²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: A Nicol| T: P A Kirby| OR: 97

14/1

Suffered a leg injury after winning at Doncaster late last year off a 7lb lower mark over 3m on good ground. Not seen since but returns to action looking as though he's the sort to progress, may need this and better suited by a stiffer test.

Form: 4/P9541-

Forecasts

Higgs (8/11), Frightened Rabbit (5/1), Sleepy Haven (9/1), Ask Paddington (12/1), Black Key (14/1), Dubh Des Champs (14/1), Bestiarius (16/1), Attention Seaker (28/1), Mahler Supreme (50/1)

This doesn’t look as deep or competitive as the first division with Higgs sure to attract attention once again but although it’s dangerous to oppose this type for the Newland yard he didn’t really impress at Exeter and this may come a little too soon. FRIGHTENED RABBIT is preferred on the back of his good Flat form as he returns to hurdles for the first time since his 10L Cartmel romp in July, he looks capable of coping with this increased mark. Not many of the others have sound credentials although support for Dubh Des Champs would be of interest given his Doncaster win. Black Key and Ask Paddington are the most appealing of the remainder.